According to a recent study, eating fewer calories and decreasing meal frequency may help hinder the onset of Huntington's disease in mice.
Huntington's disease, which affects about one in 10,000 people in the United States, is passed from parent to child. It results from the genetically programmed degeneration of neurons-nerve cells in the brain.
When neurons degenerate, it causes uncontrolled movements, loss of intellectual capabilities and emotional disturbance. Speech may become slurred and vital functions such as swallowing, eating, speaking and walking may become increasingly difficult. Some individuals may also have difficulty recognizing family members or friends.
But the new study, which was published in the February 2003 issue of the Journal of Neuro-chemistry, offers hope for people who may be genetically at risk for Huntington's disease. Researchers found that calorie restriction (CR) and fewer meals not only delayed the onset of Huntington's disease, it also caused the mice in the study to live about 15 percent longer than normal. Past studies have found that CR can increase the life span of everything from protozoa to laboratory animals to humans.
CR also prevents or delays development of many age-related disorders such as kidney disease, diabetes and tumors, as well as hampering declines in immune function--and presumably, Huntington's disease.
Incorporating CR into your lifestyle begins by setting a calorie-reduction goal, generally from 10 to 30 percent, phased in over a year's time. Acceptable foods include nutrient-dense whole grains and vegetables, plus lean protein, supplements and vitamins. The goal is to reduce calories but not diminish good nutrition. See "Low-calorie Longevity," BN, December 2002, for full details.
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